Iran ready for talks with US: Ahmadinejad (Lead)

Tehran, Feb 10 (Xinhua) Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tuesday that Iran is ready to talk in “fair atmosphere” with the US.

Ahmadinejad made the remarks in a speech marking the 30th anniversary of the victory of Iran’s Islamic Revolution.

Referring to the slogan of “change” by US President Barack Obama, Ahmadinejad said: “The new US administration has said that they want to do changes and to follow the course of dialogue… but the change must be essential not a tactic, and the Iranian nation welcomes true changes and Iran is ready to talk in fair atmosphere with mutual respect.”

“The United States must give up threats and sanctions,” he said while addressing the rally in Tehran’s Azadi (liberty) Square.

State-organised mass demonstrations started Tuesday throughout Iran, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the revolution that established the Islamic Republic in Iran.

According to state media, millions of people nationwide and hundreds of thousands in the capital Tehran will attend the rallies to show their solidarity with the Islamic administration.